Local Democrats express inspiration after speech

Jan. 21, 2013

Updated 1:17 p.m.

1 of 7

Jacques Restoud stands at attention with his hand over his heart as the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sang “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” at the Laguna Woods Democratic Club Inauguration Day breakfast Monday. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 7

Jeanne Korsh wipes away a tear as seniors applauded, stood at attention and watched President Barack Obama take the oath of office at the Laguna Woods Democratic Club Inauguration Day breakfast Monday. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 7

Nancy Jonas poses for a photo with the life-size cardboard version of President Barack Obama at the Laguna Woods Democratic Club Inauguration Day breakfast Monday. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 7

Nancy Nadel applauds as she watches President Barack Obama take the oath of office during the Laguna Woods Democratic Club Inauguration Day breakfast Monday. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Seniors applauded, stood at attention and, in some cases, wept as they watched President Barack Obama take the oath of office at the Laguna Woods Democratic Club Inauguration Day breakfast Monday. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 7

William Hagle, left, and Laguna Woods Democratic Club President Linda Nearing stand at attention for the singing of the National Anthem by Beyonce during the final moments of the Laguna Woods Democratic Club Inauguration Day breakfast Monday. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Jacques Restoud stands at attention with his hand over his heart as the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sang “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” at the Laguna Woods Democratic Club Inauguration Day breakfast Monday. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LAGUNA WOODS – They cheered shortly before 9 a.m., when President Barack Obama was ceremonially sworn in for his second term.

When Obama, quoting from the Declaration of Independence, affirmed "that all men are created equal," a female voice from the back of the room added "and women!"

About 100 people breakfasted on coffee, muffins and bagels at Laguna Woods Village's Clubhouse Six on Monday morning at an inauguration-watching event put on by the Laguna Woods Democratic Club.

Along with the crowd on the Washington Mall, they listened as Obama said "today we continue a never-ending journey to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time."

They watched and cheered as Obama said "our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts ... until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law ... until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity."

The speech "brought tears to my eyes," said Sue Dearing, the club's first vice president, "because that's what he's about, he's about all men are created equal."

"I'm a real Obama believer," added Dearing, who has read both of the president's books. "We need to make sure women have rights, gays have rights. ... He talked about all the things he needs to do that he needed to do the first time but he couldn't because Congress wasn't with him."

In the interest of making Congress less of an obstacle to the president, Jonathan Adler, the club's legislative action director, urged everyone to phone the offices of Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein to urge them to "reform the filibuster so that this gridlock can be broken in the Senate."

While Senate majorities have tended to shy away from tinkering with filibuster rules, keeping in mind the day they will be in the minority and might want to use a filibuster to block legislation, Adler listed several reasons why the Democrats should reconsider that calculation.

"Democrats, more than Republicans, want to pass things," he said in an interview. "Republicans, in general, are more content with inaction."

Linda Nearing, the club's president, is optimistic that Obama can "get a lot more finished this term" now that he won't have to devote energy to getting re-elected, "but of course it depends on the Republicans and what they're going to do or not do."

She noted that a few prominent Republicans have broken ranks. "Maybe the American public will rise up in its wisdom – better late than never – and say 'stop it people,' " she mused.

Janice Burstin, the club's activism chairwoman, was bristling with energy as she contemplated the next four years. "I totally agree with our president – we need to take care of all the people. We are our brothers' keepers, our sisters' keepers."

Burstin, a school teacher in New York until she retired, said that 50 years ago her father closed his dry-cleaning shop in the Bronx and traveled to Washington, D.C., to hear Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.

"I'm doing my father's work," she said. "There has to be some more equity in this country."

The Laguna Woods Democratic Club, with 320 members, is the largest in Orange County, Dearing said.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.